QUETTA:
A change in weather and the early onset of winter have triggered a noticeable rise in seasonal diseases across Quetta, leaving government and private hospitals struggling to cope with a growing influx of patients.
Civil Hospital, Bolan Medical Complex (BMC), Benazir Bhutto General Hospital and other public facilities, along with numerous private clinics, are reporting heavy patient loads. Doctors say hundreds of residents are arriving daily seeking treatment for common winter ailments.
Children are the most vulnerable group. Paediatric wards are seeing a steady stream of young patients suffering from cough, cold, flu, fever, typhoid and related complications. Parents are bringing their children in with symptoms that have intensified over the past few days as temperatures dropped and the weather became more unpredictable.
Elderly citizens and women are also falling ill in large numbers. Medical staff note that sudden temperature swings and the increasing chill have weakened immunity, particularly among the very young and the elderly, raising serious health concerns in the city.
Doctors attribute the spike to the abrupt seasonal transition. Fluctuating temperatures and the growing intensity of cold have created ideal conditions for respiratory and water-borne infections to spread. Hygiene challenges and the continued use of untreated water in some localities are compounding the problem.
Health experts are urging residents to take preventive measures. They recommend wearing adequate warm clothing, protecting children from cold winds, maintaining personal and household cleanliness, and ensuring the consumption of clean drinking water and nutritious food.
Medical professionals strongly advise against self-medication. Anyone experiencing persistent cough, cold, flu or prolonged fever should consult a qualified doctor promptly so that accurate diagnosis and timely treatment can be provided.
